Anakin Solo Appreciation Society

A corner of Tumblr to appreciate the youngest Solo child - Anakin Solo & the Solo family.

[cryptidsolo]

more art block so more dad han 🥰

[hai-lei]

‘Sup my dudes. I really wanna learn more about the Solo EU kids, so wanted to make sure I’ve got this reading layout right:

Thrawn

Corellia

YJK (All 14?)

NJO (All 19, 3 ebooks, and 3 short stories?)

Force (All 9?)

Fate (All 9?)

NGL I just want to know mostly about the twins but also don’t want to be really lost? Is Dark Nest a good add in here? I read that Thrawn is a good one to throw in at the beginning but if there’s something that’s dire to know before that (my knowledge is SUPER limited in this area outside of the movies, SWTOR, and what I’ve shuffled through on wookiepedia) please throw the book at me.

Also, would it be worth buying this (when able) in paperback form, either as singles or the omnibus, or just try and stick to e-versions? Tia!

[blue-mint-winter]

Alright! Let me give you an overview.

Thrawn Trilogy - Jaina and Jacen are born. They’re babies. So you can’t learn anything about their personalities.

You missed a few things between Thrawn and Corellia, so I’ll fill you in.

Jedi Academy Trilogy - kids have their little adventures as an aside to the main plots. Also, Jacen saves Luke’s life in a way. And Kyp is introduced which is important to Jaina’s story later on.

The Crystal Star - this one is big on Solo kids content, so I wouldn’t skip it. It’s just that it’s a bad book, but I liked the stuff about the kids specifically. One of the best Jaina portrayals in EU imo.

Black Fleet Crisis - aside of the main plot, there are lots of details about Organa-Solo family life and how Han is a good dad and takes care of kids and what they learn from Leia.

Corellian Trilogy - yeah, Solo kids have a more major adventure there… it’s just not my favourite book series overall. But a lot of people like it, so give it a try.

Young Jedi Knights - adventures of Jaina, Jacen and their friends from Jedi Academy - this is the most important and I would start there.

Junior Jedi Knights - all about Anakin Solo and Tahiri Veila. Recommended.

Short story: The Crystal by Elaine Cunningham - it’s about Jaina.

NJO  - alright, I recommend all of it, but I’m going to point out what’s most essential to Solo kids fans

Vector Prime - first book, introduces their characters in this new exciting era and their current dynamic, crucial read

Dark Tide duology has important developments for Solo kids

Agents of Chaos: Jedi Eclipse contains return to Centerpoint

Balance Point - important moment in Jacen’s character arc

Edge of Victory duology - essential Anakin stuff!!!! Recommended!

Star by Star - I hate this book, but it’s very important to Solo kids journeys and the overall war, so you can’t skip.

Dark Journey - essential Jaina stuff!

Enemy Lines duology - some more Jaina and X-wing stuff, and Jag

Traitor - JACEN. Pivotal book. Universally beloved book. 10/10 must read

Destiny’s Way + Ylesia - important plot points about Jaina and Jacen

Force Heretic Trilogy - It’s kind of bad, so I recommend just skipping to characters you like, there’s Jaina and Jacen there. Also Tahiri (I can’t imagine not being a fan of Tahiri after reading JJK and Edge of Victory).

The Final Prophecy - so not much Solo kids content, but it’s about Tahiri, so it’s really good.

The Unifying Force - essential! Phenomenal ending to Jacen’s arc. For me this is the true end to his story.

After this there’s only a terrible character assassination of my faves that broke my heart, but some people like this stuff for some reason and see nothing wrong with it (I can’t relate), so here you go:

Dark Nest Trilogy - the prelude to the fuckery that’s going to happen. Lots of important plot points. Read before LOTF. Poor Jaina, poor Jacen.

LOTF - THEY MASSACRED MY BOY. Also Jaina’s love triangle and unhealthy fascination with Mandos. The End.

The Millennium Falcon - zero Solo kid content, but it gives a kinder resolution to LOTF’s ending and Jacen. It’s like a band-aid. Unfortunately, later it’s painfully ripped off by FOTJ.

FOTJ - Things go crazy and Jaina’s around doing Jedi stuff

That’s it, the end.

Sorry for being so negative in the end there, but I think warning you about post-NJO is important, so you can go in prepared. Who knows, you might like it, I don’t know. People have different tastes, some don’t like NJO and Vongs. The bottom line is that no one warned me and I suffered a lot :(

There were also a few comics featuring Solo kids, but I didn’t get around to reading them. But from what I heard, they’re fine.

Oh, and I recommend reading ebooks so you can find out which books you like and then buy them. But you should do whatever suits you better and makes reading more comfortable.

[youngestsolokid]

Jaina kicks ass in The Crystal Star and it really sets up all of their personalities. Book is weird AF but it’s one of those ‘so bad it’s almost good’ and the Solo kids stuff is fun in it.

All hail Waru!

[youngestsolokid]

This record is for my nephew, Anakin Solo. Anakin, I speak to you from the planet Onderon, where your parents, siblings, and I are the guests of Modon Kira and his warrior clan. At this very moment, you are sleeping peacefully in a crib in your parents' suite. This is a wonderful thing for you to be doing, Anakin. It is how every baby should sleep, softly snoring without fear or concern. And yet yesterday, we came so close to losing you. I have no doubt that you will grow up good and strong and that by the time you review this recording, you'll already have heard something about the events of yesterday. Because the Force is so strong in you, I suppose it's possible that your inchoate memory may preserve some aspects of what happened. But I want you to know - know from me - about what happened, as best as I can tell it. And afterward, I'll tell you why I want you to know. For more than two decades, the galaxy was controlled by Emperor Palpatine, a Sith Lord who had conquered the Republic and virtually destroyed the Jedi Order. To say that Palpatine was evil, and would stop at nothing to accomplish his goals, is an understatement. He annihilated entire civilizations and left worlds ravaged beyond salvation, all in his ongoing effort to achieve greater power. He was also responsible for luring my father, the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, to the dark side and transforming him into a Sith apprentice named Darth Vader. I will tell you more of my father another time, but for now, know that he renounced the Sith, and that it was he who killed Palpatine seven years ago at the Battle of Endor. Know that your grandfather, your namesake, died as a Jedi.  ...  So now, Anakin, I shall tell you why it's important to me that I relate this story to you. It's not because I want you to remember your place in history at the moment Palpatine died. I want you to remember Rayf Ysanna and Empatojayos Brand, two men who fought to save you. I also want you to remember Rayf's sister, Jem, who died while defending your mother and me against Palpatine's minions on New Alderaan. I hope you will honor them by living a good, long life, as this is what they would have wanted for you. Now that Palpatine is finally gone forever, I feel a great relief. I don't know how long this relief will last, and I can only  imagine what your future holds. But with the last Sith Lord dead, the future of the Jedi Order has never looked brighter. May the Force be with you, Anakin.

Luke Skywalker, 10-11 A.B.Y., Jedi Vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force

[phil-the-stone-deactivated20180]

I did some character designs for the Solo kids because a) they are near and dear to my heart and b) I love designing costumes tbh. Also idk here they’re maybe 18 and 16, respectively?

Basically as we’ve already established (in my head, not in sort of canon, fight me) Jaina looks like Han, mostly, Jacen looks more like Leia and Anakin is a mix with The Blue Eyes ™. So anyway:

- recently I had the idea that Jaina’s like hella good at brawling/fist fighting and thus cogito-ergo-dumb suggested I add hand wraps to her design - Jacen has an earring I literally just read this in a fic and I thought SON IT MAKES NO SENSE BUT I WANT - Nik has appropriated his father’s old spacer jacket (which is like five hundred years old and has seen hell and back) and wears it ninety percent of the time even though its still kinda big for him because he says it’s his Lucky Jacket - Jaina’s hair is generally in a state of unkempt madness but she’s always got at least one braid running through it, because Mom always braids her hair and its just a Thing, okay - at least one Smashball jersey is owned between the three of them - Jaina and Anakin are around the same height but Jacen has like three inches on the two of them. All three are taller than their mother, but it’s the twins who have inherited the beanpole genes; Nik’s just average - Nik’s boots are hella rad - when she’s not dressed in flight suits, Jaina’s wardrobe is actually pretty soft and baggy; slippers and leggings are featured a lot. - Jaina teases Jacen for like a million years because Anakin grew facial hair before he did - all three of them are all pokey elbows and skinny torsos - also Jaina has like no boobs idk - the Lopsided Grin (copywrite Harrison Ford) is also a shared trait - as is the Haughty Eyebrows (tm Carrie Fisher) - Jaina has really long slender fingers and she’s super happy with them - Jacen always has dirt on the knees of his pants - and grass poking out of the oddest corners of his clothing - also engine grease smudges are to be found on most of Jaina’s clothing - Nik got a super rad multitool from his big sister for his tenth birthday and he keeps it on his person at all times - they’re all really hot - yeah

[fennethianell]

“Never imagined this,” Han had murmured, sitting up in their bed late at night, Ben’s tiny head resting in the crook of his father’s arm. “Having a kid. Even wanting a kid. But now he’s here, and—” “And you’re a dad.” Leia had leaned closer, unable to resist the chance to tease her husband. “Just think, hotshot. Someday you might even be a granddad.” Han’s chuckle had warmed her. “Speak for yourself, sweetheart. Me, I ain’t ever getting that old.” ― Claudia Gray, Bloodline

Finally I could finish my drawing I started over a year ago. Just loosely based it over this particular moment from the book. It just broke my heart into million pieces.

[novahdraws]

HanLeia week, Prompt: Family

I really like the old EU Skywalker-Solo family (Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin). I’ve been reading a lot of old Star Wars novels lately, so that probably contributes to why I like them so much.

dA

[youngestsolokid]

Nothing felt right--being away from Leia and the kids, going off alone without Luke or Chewbacca, resenting Leia for asking when she knew he could not refuse her, hating his own inability to say no. Somewhere he had lost the independence he had once cherished as his most precious possession, and the worst part was that he knew he had given it up freely. No-- the worst part was that here he was, on his own, and he couldn't remember how to enjoy it. It didn't feel right to be alone.

Before the Storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1

That’s my Han Solo. 

[youngestsolokid]

Tarkin said I had dictated the choice of targets for the Death Star's demonstration," Leia said softly. "I haven't been able to make myself stop hearing that. I still see the explosion." She looked away. "And sometimes I can't help feeling as though they died because of me. That I survived because I betrayed them. And what kind of qualification is that?" "Nonsense. They died because of Tarkin," Han said. "He only said that to manipulate you. I hate to see that it's still working." "Memories have a long reach," she said, settling back against her pillows. "I just realized something else, Han. About why this matters. And it's a better answer to your question than my doubts about belonging where I am." She shook her head slowly and closed her eyes. "My father did so much to divide the galaxy. I feel as though I have to do what I can to unite it.

Before the Storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1

[youngestsolokid]

You know, Lieutenant," said Oolas, "even a just war doesn't look quite so gloriously heroic to those of us who have to pick up afterward.

Before the Storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1

[jedihafren]

My children are going to have normal family stories to tell their children, little funny stories about everyday nothings, stories where no one dies too young or has to carry a burden of shame. I’m going to see to that, with your help or without it–“  Han approached from the doorway. "Leia–” “Nothing matters more to me, do you understand?” she deamanded, jabbing a finger in Luke’s face. “Nothing. So you do what you think you have to, brother– go wherever you have to with whoever you want to, chasing whatever shadow of a hint of a promise of a clue you like. I don’t care about any of it. Don’t ask for my help again. And don’t bring the past into this house. It’s all just pain and death. You wallow in it if you want to. I’ve had enough of it for ten lifetimes."  Stunned by the vehemence of her outburst, both men stared mute as Leia stalked out of the kitchen.  "I’m sorry,” Luke said at last. “You were right. I let myself think I know her better than you do.” “I don’t know who’s right and who’s wrong, kid. I just know you’re both stubborn as tauntauns,” Han said. “And that this would probably be a good time to be leaving.

Before the storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1

Well, that’s just painful in a multitude of ways. 

(via jedihafren)

[youngestsolokid]

I just have to know the truth," Luke said. "I don't understand why you don't feel the same way--" "Listen to me-- we're never going to have a tidy family tree," Leia snapped. "Why can't you realize? We're never going to know our parents better than we do right now. We're never going to hae fond stories of our grandparents to tell our children. We're better of telling them about Owen and Beru, about Bail--the real people who cared for us, protected us, loved us like we were their own. You make too much of blood." "It's more than blood-" Luke began. "I don''t care," Leia said, slapping the top of the bar with the flat of her right hand. The noise was so sudden and loud that it made Han jump. "You can't invent a normal childhood for us, no matter how much you turn up about Mother and Father. And if you do find the truth, as you call it, you just might find you don't like it very much. You might end up wishing you'd let them stay dead.

Before the Storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1 

So like, this whole series with Luke and going to try to find his mother by this woman who says she knows who she is, and being written before the Prequels, literally is kind of a ridiculous mess of oh, no, no. But some of the character pieces are still good, even if the story line is kind of a mess, and this is one of those. 

Guys, if Luke and Leia don’t have an argument on how to approach Vader and their parents in the galaxy, and if a major philosophical difference on how to do so isn’t a part of everything post-RotJ in canon, I’m going to be very upset, because it is literally one of the only ways a split really makes sense. 

[youngestsolokid]

Han Solo: Isn't it more likely to be something about your father?

Leia Organa Solo: Why do you say that?

Han: I kind of got the impression he's still having trouble with some of that.

Leia: What? No, that's silly. Why should he feel guilty about what Father did under the control of the Emperor and the dark side? Luke forgave Father at Endor. You were there -- you saw.

Han: Well -- maybe it didn't turn out to be that simple for Luke. After all, a few billion people around the galaxy are still pretty unhappy with dear old Dad.

Leia: You don't have to remind me about that. But I'm the one who has to deal with it, not Luke. I'm the one who gets accused and screamed at and threatened, not Luke. And I'm handling it.

[youngestsolokid]

On the morning of her first meeting with Nil Spaar, Leia climbed out of bed with an aching shoulder, tired eyes, and a blanket of fatigue in her limbs that made her feel as though she was on the verge of being ill.  Anakin had awakened from a terrifying nightmare in the small hours, and Leia had allowed him to climb into bed between her and Han in the hope that it would help him sleep. But the unfamiliar presence of a third little body had forced her into unnatural sleeping postures. Worse, Anakin had become a restive sleeper, and she had found herself aware of his every move, coming fully awake time and again as he turned and squirmed beside her.  Han, Leia had been annoyed to discover, slept through it all, including his own snoring.

Before the Storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1

[youngestsolokid]

My sister Leia has all the talent and wisdom she needs to be not only the mother, but the model, your children need. She has only to believe in herself, and she'll find that nothing is beyond her. Which is why the worst thing I could do for your family right now is to come to her rescue, to encourage her to look to me to solve her problems. She'll only undercut her own authority with the children, and yours with it. They must learn their first and most important lessons from you. In that, they are no different from any other children.

Before the Storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1

Mostly I’m posting this cause it’s Luke to Han, about Leia being mother, and I think the point that they must learn their first and most important lessons from Han and Leia, is well made. 

However, this is definitely one of those times when Luke goes kind of distant and hermit-y, which isn’t my favorite Luke. It is the Luke that Mara calls out (and rightfully so), but in this he’s not entirely wrong, I suppose. And he’s having this conversation with Han, which is also nice. 

(I think one of the things I miss the most from Canon is this feeling that Luke isn’t talking to anyone, mostly because those conversations are only eluded to and never happen on screen. Like, in Aftermath he seems to be completely distant. In Bloodlines, he’s in contact with, but not at any point in the book does an actual conversation happen. I know Mystery Box, blah blah, but I miss his presence. It creates a hole and it really can only be filled by fanfiction or reading the 90s EU, which almost certainly has its issues, but at least Luke is there...)

[youngestsolokid]

Han on his kids flying.

Han Solo: Yeah, well, fine. I'll tell you this much, though. Luke'd better come teach the kids how to flap their arms and fly. Because I'm never giving Jacen the codes to the Falcon. Not in my lifetime, anyway.

[youngestsolokid]

In which I get grumpy about Han & Chewie in BFC.

As I’m working through Black Fleet Crisis, (I’m on chapter 11 of Before the Storm) so far the parts I’ve enjoyed the most have been the Solo family bits, coupled with the awareness of Leia’s parentage within the political machine. 

This is a more ‘political’ book than many of the ones I’ve read thus far in my reread of the 90s EU, and characters like Ackbar, and Admiral Drayson, fleet commanders, and so forth feature more prominently than they have in past books which have focused more prominently upon Leia, Han, and Luke outside of Imperial characters which may be unknown previously, but play a significant role. 

But in chapter three, there’s a part that just doesn’t really mesh for me. Cause Chewbacca says he needs to go home, and Han’s first response is ‘who is going to help me put the Falcon back in order’, and okay, so, in some ways that’s pretty typical Han - think of himself first, and not other people. But it also feels more like ANH Han, not so much RotJ Han, and this is a Han that’s lived a good decade beyond RotJ, and had family and kids, and has been shown to be pretty decent at all of those things. Leia punches him, and he comes around, but the initial response being the ‘hey what about’ rather than that coming later as a jokey response, kinda rubs me wrong. 

Chewbacca then asks to take the Falcon and Han balks at that, but that feels more realistic to me, than him balking at Chewbacca going in the first place. 

But what really kinda irks, is he and Leia have this whole conversation right in front of Chewie as if he were a child, or not as sentient (which, fuck that) including the following exchange:

“Han, come on! You should lend him the Falcon.

“Well, I don’t want to,” Han said, getting to his feet and pacing nervously. “I don’t want her bouncing around hyperspace without me. I want her where I know the worst thing that can happen is that some overeager mechanic with a torque wrench will come along and tighten all the connectors to spec. And you know how Wookiees fly -- he’ll redline it the whole way there and back.” 

(The best part of which is Leia ending with “And you wonder why Jacen gives us a hard time.”)

But this feels, decidedly lacking in trust of Chewbacca, which doesn’t feel representative of their overall relationship, even as far back as the OT and it bothered me as really Out of Character for Han, even though I’d really enjoyed his characterization else where in this book. 

[youngestsolokid]

One after another, Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin sat up. Jacen plucked a blade of grass and started trying to whistle through it, drawing a glare from his sister and a look of injured surprise from his younger brother. "Tell me what you learned," Leia said.  Jaina looked toward her parents. "The grass doesn't mind being walked on, but it does feel it." "Everything that's alive can feel what happens to it," said Leia. "That's an important truth to remember. Anakin?  Jacen? What about you?" Anakin laced his fingers behind his neck as a pillow. "I don''t know if I learned something or made it up."  "Tell us."  "Well -- I was looking at the clouds. And I thought I could feel the grass looking at them, too. Like they were wondering if it was going to rain."  "I'm sure the grass is aware of the weather," Leia said. "But wondering is something conscious beings are blessed with."  "Or cursed," said Han. "I learned that the grass thinks Jaina smells bad," Jacen said impishly, giving his twin a push and rolling away from her. "Can we go in the pool, Mother?

Before the Storm, Black Fleet Crisis #1